Rule-holder



A. [VIOLANDEM RULE HOLDER.

APPLlcAxoN FILED MAR. 12. 1919.

ALEXIUS MOLANDER, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.

RULE-HOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 21, 1919.

Application filed March 12, 1919. Serial No. 282,087.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXIUs MoLANDEn, subject of the King of Sweden, residing at Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rule-Holders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention pertains in general to article holders, and has more particular reference to one especially adapted for holding a workmans rule in a pocket.

Rules of the type comprising a plurality of pivotally connected rule sections adapted to be. folded into compact relation or to be extended to various lengths are very eXtensively used by workmen in many trades. In fact, the use of these rules is so common that it is now standard practice in the manufacture of workmens apparel to provide a special narrow pocket, generally in the trouser leg, for carrying the rule. Because of the frequent and almost mechanical use of the rule, these pockets are invariably open and not provided with cove-rs or flaps as the latter would inconvenience the workmen, both in buttoning and unfbuttoning the Hap.

It is well recognized, however, that rules are very easily lost from these pockets, especially so in certain trades Vbecause of the activity of the workmen. Frequently, the tendency of a rule of this kind to drop from the pocket is augmented because of the fact that in many instances the working clothes when removed are quite carelessly thrown aside after working hours and under these conditions a heavy rule is very apt to fall from the pocket.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and practical means for holding a rule of the character in mind in a pocket so as to positively insure against its accidental displacement and loss.

Another object is to provide as a new article of manufacture, a holder especially constructed and suited for the purpose in mind; and to this end I have provided a holder of novel construction adapted to be permanently and easily attached to any rule of standard size and to serve eifectually the purpose in mind.

I have also aimed to so construct the holder that it will not obliterate or interfere with the distance graduations on the rule, and to this end a certain portion of the holder is graduated to conform with the rule or scale graduations. A still further object is to so construct the holder that it may be produced and sold at a low cost.

@ther objects and attendant advantages will be appreciated as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a face view of a folding rule equipped with a holder embodying my improvements Y Fig. 2, a side view of the rule and holder;

Fig.. 3, a back view of the holder detached from the rule; and

Fig. l, a view showing the shape of the holder before it is formed to lit the rule.

`llhile my invention as mentioned above contemplates the provision of a holder especially adapted for use in connection with a rule of the pivotedl section folding type, it should be understood that it is applicable to rules, scales or other similarly constructed instruments or articles. In the present case, the rule designated generally by the character 5 is of a well known type comprising a plurality of rule sections G pivotally connected together and adapted to fold into compact relation as shown in the drawings, for convenience of handling and transportation and to be unfolded and extended to greater lengths for use.

My improved holder comprises a body designated generally by the character 7 shaped to slidingly fit over and be secured to one of the rule sections and equipped with -a suitable pocket-engaging means, such for example as a spring clasp 8. rIhis holder in its preferred form is shaped as shown in Fig. 4e to comprise spaced front portions 9 and 11 joined by end portions 12 and 12.

At the ends of the front portion 11 and inalinement therewith are extensions 13 adapted to be folded around and back of the rule section and to be suitably joined together as by welding or soldering so that the body of the holder completely embraces the rule section.- Viewing Fig. 1, it will he noted that the blank ust described is formed so that the portions 9 and 11 are adapted to extend transversely across the face of a rule section at longitudinally spaced intervals. The sides 12 and 12 respectively engage only the parallel side edges of the rule section and constitute parallel guides enabling the holder to be slid freely thereon.

The back 13 embraces the back of the rule section and prevents displacement of the holder therefrom, but permits of the sliding movement just mentioned. The holderpis thus shaped to lit snugly and securely over the end of a rule section and be slidable lengthwise thereon to any position desired.

The spring clip 8 is preferably constructed to provide a ball-shaped end 1st serrated on its underface 15 to more effectively grip the pocket. I have noW provided means permanently connected With the holder for securing it in fixed relation With a rule. This consists preferably of a spur 16 formed integral With the holder body and in the fiat plane thereof and adapted to be bent down and forced into the Wood of the rule section Vwhen the holder has been suitably positioned thereon. Vith respect to this fastening device, my invention contemplates the provision of a suitable means for rigidly securing the holder of the character in mind to a rule section or the equivalent. In the present instance, the spur 16 is formed in connection with the front portion 9 adjacent to one end thereof so as not to interfere with the graduations. This position of the spur is also most effective as it is located farthest from the spring clasp and there is little or no tendency of the spur to Work in the WoodV and loosen its hold, due to vibration or movement of the spring clasp during usage. It Will be noted that the sides 11 and 12 and the front portion 9 in their fitting engagement with the sides and front of the rule Y section, provide a substantial and very effective bearing for that portion of the holder Which provides the immediate support for the spring clasp. Thus, an exceedingly simple and practical holder is obtained and one which in no Way interferes With the use or handling of a rule of this kind. In this regard, special attention is directed to the shape of the body portion so as not to obliterate or interfere with the distance gradu- Vations of the rule. lVhile only the portions 9 and 1'1 cover portions of the graduations, it will be noted that they are of such Width as to register with certain graduations and are also provided on their faces with graduations 17 representing the rule graduations which have been covered. Viewing Fig. 1, it Will beV plainly seen that the distance graduations of the rule are for all practical purposesin no Way interfered with.

The use of my improvements will be obvious. The holder may be either sold separately or may be permanently attached 'to new rules. One of the advantages. hoivever1 of the construction above described is that the holder may be adjusted on the rule to lit pockets of different depths, and when properly positioned the fastening 'spur' vill be driven in to permanently secure the holder in this position.

It is believed that the foregoing conveys a clear understanding of my improvements, and While I have illustrated one practical application thereof, it Will be evident that various changes might be made in proportions and sizes Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as eX- pressed in the appended claims, in which- I claim:

1. A rule holder of the character described comprising a body shaped to slide longitudinally upon a rule section and to be held against lateral displacement with respect thereto, said body being equipped With'a spring clasp extending longitudinally of the front face of the rule, and a spur formed upon the body and adapted to be forced into the rule for rigidly securing the body in connection therewith. Y Y

2. A rule holder ofthe character described comprising a body shaped to provide front portions spaced apart longitudinally of a rule and extending transversely across Vthe face thereof, end portions joining therends of said front portions and Yconstituting guides engageable With the parallel sides of the rule, a backportion embracing the back of the rule and oining together the sides of the body, and a spring clasp fixed to one of the fr ont portions and arranged to extend longitudinally over the face of the rule.

3. A rule holder of the character described Acomprising a body adapted to be attached to a rule and when in position extending across the graduated face of such rule, a clasp carried by the body for engaging a pocket, and graduations on the body of the holder corresponding substantially to graduations on the rule covered by the holder body.

4. A rule holder of the character described, comprising a body having spaced front portions, end portions joining the front portions, a spring clasp formed integral With one of the front portions, and graduations on the front portions adapted to Voverlie and register Vwith cistance gradu- ALEXIUS MOLANDER.

Copiesrof this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the @Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. c

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